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Creature from the Black Lagoon

The 100 Best Horror Movies of All Time - Variety, 2024

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Sequel:

Revenge of the Creature

Original title

Creature from the Black Lagoon

Year

1954

Running time

79 min.

Country

United States

Director

Jack Arnold

Screenwriter

Harry Essex, Arthur A. Ross

Cast

Music

Joseph Gershenson

Cinematography

William E. Snyder (B&W)

Producer

Universal International Pictures (UI)

Genre

Horror. Adventure. Sci-Fi | Monsters. 3D. B Movie. Cult movie

Synopsis

The Creature, an amphibious, prehistoric man-monster, inhabits the primordial depths of a tropical lagoon undisturbed until scientists intrude upon his domain. Variously interpreted as a monster from hell and a primitive innocent provoked to violence, the Creature belongs to a tradition of misunderstood monsters that include Frankenstein’s monster and King Kong. Science-fiction master Jack Arnold sensitively handles the erotic interplay between the Creature and the beautiful woman he desires. Shot in 3-D.

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Rankings Position

#37 Best Monster Movies & Monster Series

Critics' reviews

"A drive-in classic that is one of the most cherished horror pictures of the '50s"

Kevin Thomas: Los Angeles Times
"Directed by sometimes-inspired journeyman Jack Arnold, this is one of the best-loved monster movies of the ‘50s. (...) Rating: ★★★★ (out of 5)"

Kim Newman: Empire
"Imbued with great atmosphere by director Jack Arnold, the film is genuinely frightening, but also elicits a certain amount of pathos for the creature, reminiscent of that that goes out to the unfortunate King Kong."

TV Guide
"It does have a unique monster: the Amazonian gill man, a lovelorn amphibian who spots Adams underwater and doesn't stop swimming after her until the very last minute"

Michael Wilmington: Chicago Tribune
"It's a fishing expedition that is necessary only if a viewer has lost all of his comic books."

The New York Times
"'Creature from the Black Lagoon' perfectly typifies the transition from older, more European horror styles into bloodthirsty schlock and ever-cheaper thrills. (...) Rating: ★★★ (out of 4)"

Steve Macfarlane: Slant
"It makes for solid horror-thrill entertainment."

The Hollywood Reporter
"Jack Arnold has a flair for this sort of thing, and if there really is anything frightening about a man dressed up in a rubber suit with zippers where the gills ought to be, Arnold comes close to finding it."

Dave Kehr: Chicago Tribune

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Creature from the Black Lagoon

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